Railway tie plate



Jan. 9, 1934. Q T, wlLLARD 1,942,464

RAILWAY TIE PLATE Filed May 22, 1931 4 sheets-sheet' 1 HH# j f Hlllllll! Jan. 9, 1934. A G. T. wlLLARD i 41,942,464

RAILWAY TIE FLAT@ Filed May 2,?. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 pull! Hilumngun E Jg i Zzzfenqr.' I

` Georye Z7 Millard,

Jan. 9, 1934. G. T. WILLARD 1,942,464

RAILWAY TIE PLATE Filed May 22. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 9 1, 11934.

,G. T. wxLLARD RAILWAY TIE PLATE Filed May 22, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to railway tie plates.

The object of the invention is to produce a tie plate by the use of which the railway rail is nonlxedly held on the tie plate, creeping of the rail is retarded, the life of the tie is increased and thek necessity for respiking of plates to tie is eliminated.

Tie plates in common use at present are provided with a plurality of spike holes located adjacent the edges of the rail flanges when the rail is in position on the plate, through which spikes are driven into the tie, the heads of the spikes which attach the plate to the tie functioning also to hold the rail on the plate by engaging l5 the edges of the rail flanges. The wave motion of the rail under load usually pulls the spikes upwardly, resulting in loosening the plate from the tie and consequent mechanical wear and necessity for respiking. On the other hand, if the connection between rail and plate and between plate and tie is a firm, rigid connection, the wave motion of the rail lifts the plate and tie from the ballast, which is highly objectionable.

The plate of my invention is adapted to overcome the objections stated, and to yieldingly or non-fixedly hold the rail on the plate without the aid of the spikes employed for attaching the plate to the tie. By providing a non-fixed connection between the rail and the plate, and by using o spikes only for the purpose of attaching the plate to the tie, loosening of the spikes due to wave motion of the rail is avoided, mechanical wear between the plate and tie is reduced and the need for respiking is practically eliminated.

Plates embodying the present invention may be made of rolled steel, cast steel or cast iron and may be secured to the tie with cut spikes, screw spikes or bolts, or both cut spikes and screw spikesor bolts. 'Ihe means for holding the rail 0 on the plate may be embodied in various forms of constructions, the objects and advantages of which will more fully appear from the drawings and the following description.

In the drawingsv Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing part of a. tie, a tie plate embodying one form of my invention anda section of rail in position on the plate. Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, of one-half of the tie plate shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4`and 5 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view of a modified form of plate. is a vertical sectional view of a detail taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Figs. '1 and 8 are a plan view and a vertical Fig. 6

(Cl. 23S-287) sectional view, respectively, showing a modied form of plate.

Figs. 9 and 10 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, of another form of plate.

Figs. 11 and 12 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing another modification.

Figs. 13 and 14 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing another modified form of plate.

Figs. 15 and 16 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing another modified form of plate. Fig. 17 is a vertical section of a detail taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16.

Figs. 18 and 19 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, of another modified form of plate. l

Figs. 20 and 21 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing another modified form of plate.

Figs. 22 and 23 are a plan view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing another modified form of plate.

A conventional rail is shown in the various gures, its tread being indicated at 10, web at 11 and base flanges at 12.

In the drawings, I have chosen to embody the various forms of my invention in tie plates provided with flat tie bearing surfaces but obviously the plate bottom may be provided with transversely disposed ribs or with reinforced portio'ns located at the stress points under the rail flange edges, or both, and the reinforced portion may be provided with a short rib depending from and extending longitudinally of the reinforced porlion and parallel with the rail edges. Any desired bottom construction may be used but I prefer to embody my invention in plates wherein all ribs and reinforcing members on the plate bottom are formed with rounded non-ber cutting edges.

In that embodiment of the invention shown' in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the plate 13 is provided on its rail bearing surface with a pair of transversely extending, upwardly directed shoulders 14 formed with an outwardly and downwardly directed hook ange 15 on its upper edge, the shoulders 14 being spaced apart a distance equal to the width of the rail flange 12.

The rail supporting surface 16 between the shoulders 14 is shown as at and canted but it v may be provided with weight reducing grooves extending transversely of the plate, and it may whole at 20 in Fig. 1.

vat

' and cut spikes or bolts,

von the tie.

'without disturbing plate and tie and without lifting the plate and be cambered, or cambered and grooved, as desired. A thin sheet 17 of compressed treated wood or fibermay be usedbetween the rail flange 12 and the surface 16 of the plate, to reduce noise and friction.

The plate may be secured tothe tie 18 by screw bolts 19 or by out spikes, or by both screw spikes to secure the plate firmly The rail is held against lateral movement between the shoulders 14 and is non-fixedly or yieldingly secured on the plate by a rail retaining device comprising a The spring is made of spring steel, shaped to form a rail bearing arm 21 adapted to bear down on top of the rail ange 1 2, a plate bearing arm 22 for bearing on the plate 13 outwardly of the shoulder 14, and a curved portion 23 between the arms 21 and 22. This curved portion 23 merges in to the arm 22 by a relatively sharply curved portion 24 arranged to engage the under surface of the hooked flange 15 of the shoulder 14. The shape of the spring 20 is such that the arms 21 and 22 and the curved portion 24 bear yieldingly but firmly, under spring tension, against the rail flange 12, the plate 13 and the flange 15, respectively. The spring is firmly heldin position under the flange- 15 afterit has been applied from one side of thev plate or sprung under the shoulder.

The engagement between the spring and the rail and between the spring-and the .plate is such that the rail is yieldingly connected to the plate, permitting wave motion of the rail under loadi the connection betweenthe tie from the ballast, and -yetv the connection of the rail and plate is firm enough to retard creeping of the rail.

In the modifications about to be described, parts similar to. those designated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive have been indicated by the same designations. l

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, the plate 13 is provided with rail abutting shoulders 25,

formed with a horizontally disposed flange 26. The means for yieldingly connecting the rail to the plate is a spring bent to form a rail bearing arm 27, a platebearing arm 28, a curved portion` 29 and a shoulder bearing curved portion 30. Instead of using a hooked shoulder such as shown in Fig. `4 for retaining the spring in position, in the modified form (Fig. 5) I have shown the spring arm 28 turned downwardly as indicated at 31 and'terminating in an end 32 of reduced width adapted to enter a slot 33 in the plate 13.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be noted that the form oLshoulder is similar to that indicated at 25 and'26 in Fig. 5 but the form of spring rail retaining device differs from those herelofore described. It comprises a rail. flange bearing arm 34, a rail web bearing member 35, a plate bearing arm 36, a shoulder bearing member` 37 'arm and a curved portion 38 located between the members and 37. The advantage fof this form of retaining device is that it provides rail flange and rail web bearing members which retard rail creeping. Since the tendency of the shoulder bearing member 37 and turned up end 39 of the 34 is to move toward each other under spring tension, the retaining device as a 'whole will remain in its intended position as shownin Y Fig. 8 without the aid of other means for fastening the spring to the plate.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 19, the plate 13 is spring indicated as a' width than the members 47 and 48, thereby proprovided at each side of the rail seat with an upright shoulder 40 having a hook flange 41 which is recessed as indicated at 41', the recess being as wide as the upper end` of the rail retaining device, which comprises a rail bearing arm 42, an upwardly curved portion 43 and a plate bearing arm 44. Said plate bearing arm 44 extends up- Wardly to the flange 41 of the shoulder and is of greater Width than the members 42 and 43, thus providing shoulders 44' on the arm 44 adapted to bear against the under surface of the hook 41 at each side of the recess 41'.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, the plate 13 in this embodiment is provided at each side of the rail seat with an upright'shoulder 45 terminating in a horizontally disposed flange 46 recessed at 46' to/ accommodate the rail retaining device which in this embodiment 'comprises a spring metal rail bearing arm 47, curved member 48 and plate bearing arm 49, the arm 49 being of greater viding shoulders 50 for bearing on the under side of the flange 46 at each side of the recess 46. Since the iiange 46 of the shoulder 45 is horizontally disposed and not hook shaped, it is desirable to provide the plate 13 with a shoulder 5l against whichthe spring arm 49 may bear.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, it will be noted that the parts are similar tothose heretofore described in connection with Figs. 11 and 12, except that the spring arm -47 has been extended to form a web bearing -member 53, and the plate 13 is bored to receive a lag screw 54. The plate bearing arm 49 of the spring is apertured and the screw 54 may be used to hold the rail retaining device on the plate or may be used for the dual purpose of attaching the device to the plate and the plate to the tie.

Referring to Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive, the plate an upright shoulder 55 terminating in a horizontally disposed flange 56 slotted at 56. In

place of means for yieldingly holding the rail on the plate, heretofore described, I may use a rigid retaining'device for non-xedly holding the rail, v120 consisting of a plate and shoulder engaging member 57 and an arm 5 8 overhanging the rail flange 12. At one side of the rigid retaining member is a lug 59 adapted to be bent downwardly into the recess 56 .to prevent movement of the retaining 125 member on the shoulder. vA space 60 between the overhanging arm 58 and rail ange 12 permits wave motion of the rail under load Without injury to the track.

In Figs. 18/ and shoulder are similar 'to those described in connection with Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive and the rail retaining device is also similar tothe parts indicated at 57 and 58,` except that the overhanging arm 58 is. grooved on its under surface, adjacent 135 its margin, as indicated at 6 1 for the purpose of receiving and holding a spring 62, the median portion 63 of which bears against the under side of the arm 58 and the ends 64 of which bear on the rail flange 12. The space 65 betweenthe rail flange and the overhanging arm 58 of thel rail retaining member provides room'for the wave motion of the rail under load, the spring 62 being somewhat compressed as the rail moves upwardly under influence of wave motion. The spring 62 functions to retard creeping of the rail and with the rigid retaining member 57-53 yieldingly secures the rail to the plate.

In Figs-20 and 21 the plate shoulder 66 at each Side et the rail seat has a horizontally disposed lb@ its.

19, the forms of plate-and 139- flange 67 which is bored at 68 to receive a screw 69. 'I'he screw 69 extends through the rail retaining device and prevents movement of said device longitudinally of the shoulder. In this form the rail retaining device comprises a plate and shoulder bearing member 57 such as heretofore described, with an arm 58 overhanging the rail flange 12. Depending from the arm 58 is a spacer 70 which is desirable when a rail having flanges 12 of less Width than the space between the shoulders 66 is used with the plate. The space 71 between the arm 58 andflange 12 permits wave motion of the rail to take place without lifting the plate 13 from the tie or lifting both plate and tie from theballast. V

In Figs. 22 and 23 the rail retaining device of Figs. 20 and `2l is shown as modified to receive a spring 62 such as was described in connection with Figs. 18 and 19. A modified form of fastening means '72 for preventing movement of,the rail retaining device longitudinally of the shoulder is also shown. vThe space 73 between the arm 58 and rail flange 12 permits wave motion of the rail to take place, the spring 62. being somewhat compressed as the rail moves upwardly intermittently.

The objects of my invention may be accomplished by producing tie plates provided with hook or straight flanged shoulders, solid or recessed, adapted for cooperating with the rail retaining devices for non-flxedly holding the rail on the plate. The devices may be of spring metal or rigid construction, or a combination of rigid and spring retaining members. The retaining members may bear on the rail ange and plate or on the rail flange, rail web and plate, and may be held on the plate shoulders by means of the intimate engagement between the shoulder and retaining device, or by separate fastenings forattaching the retaining device to the plate.

The form,location and axes of the recesses or apertures in the flanges of the plate shoulders are such that said openings may be punched in the shoulder flanges in the same operation with the punching of the spike holes for receiv ing spikes which attach the plate to the tie. This is a decided advantage over plates having shoulders provided with horizontally disposed slots or other openings the axes of which are not parallel with the axes of the spike holes, and which consequently require handling of the plate and special machine VVoperations for cutting the slots or apertures in the shoulders.

Changes may be made in details of construction Without departing from the scope of my invention and I do not intend to be limited to the exact form shown and described except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim- 1. A railway tie plate provided with holes for receiving spikes for fastening the plate to the tie, a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, an outwardly directed flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, said flange being provided with a recess, the axis of which is parallel to the axes of the spike holes, and a rail retainingT device in engagement with the under side of said flanged shoulder and extending through said recess.

2. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, an outwardly directed flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, and a rail retaining device in engagement with said flanged shoulderfor non-flxedly holding the rail on the plate, the rail retaining device comprising a spring metal rail bearing arm, a plate bearing arm and an intermediate curved member adapted to bear under the flanged shoulder.

3. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, an outwardly directed hook shaped flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder. and a rail retaining device in engagement wi'h said hook flanged shoulder, the rail retaining device comprising a spring metal rail bearing arm, a plate bearing arm and an intermediate curved member adapted to bear against the under side of said hook flanged shoulder.

4. A railway tie plate provided with holes for receiving spikes for. fastening the plate to the tie, a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, a flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, said flange being provided with a recess, the axis of which is parallel to the axes of the spike holes, anda rail retaining device in engagement with said flanged shoulder, the rail retaining device extending through said shoulder recess and comprising a 1m spring metal rail bearing arm, a plate bearing arm and an intermediate curved member, the plate bearing 4arm being formed with shoulders for bearing on the under surface of the flanged shoulder.

.5. A railway tie plate provided with holes for receiving spikes for fastening a plate to a tie, atransversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, -a hook shaped flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, said 110 hook flange being provided with a recess, the axis of which is parallel to the axes of the spike holes, and a rail retaining device in engagement with said hook flange, said rail retaining device extending through the flange recess and comprising a spring metal rail bearing arm, a plate bearing armI and an intermediate curved `member, the plate bearing arm being formed with shoulders for bearing on the under surface of the hook flange.

6. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, a flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, a rail retaining device comprising a rail bearing arm, a plate bearing arm and an intermediate member engaging the flanged shouler, and means for securing the outer end of the plate bearing arm to the plate.

7. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, a'flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, and a rail retaining device comprising a rail bearing arm, a plate bearing arm and an intermediate member engaging the flanged shoulder, the plate being slotted to receive the end of the plate bearing arm.

8. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder adjacent each side of its rail bearing surface, a flange formed on the upper part of said shoulder, a rail retaining device com- 14u prising a rail bearing arm, a plate bearing arm and an intermediate member engaging the flanged shoulder, and a rib on top of the plate parallel'with and' outwardly of the shoulder providing astop for the outer end of the plate bear-.145 ing arm of the rail retaining device.

9. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rall bearing surface, an outwardly directed integral flange formed on the upper part of said shoulders, and 150 a -rail retaining device in" engagement with the i under side of said'anged shoulder for non-fixedly holding the rail on the plate, the rail retaining device having an arm spaced from and overhanging the rail flange, and a spring between the arm and the rail flange.

10. A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, an outwardly formed on the upper part of said shoulders, and a rail retaining device in `engagement with the under` side of said flanged shoulder for non-xedly holding the rail on the plate, the rail retaining device having an arm spaced from and overhanging the rail ange, and means for prevent-l directed integral ange ing movement of the rail retaining device longitudinally of the shouldein.

11,'A railway tie plate having a transversely extending shoulder at each side of its rail bearing surface, an outwardly directed integral ange formed on the upper part of said shoulders, and a rail retaining device in engagement with the under side of said flanged shoulder'for non-fixedly holding the rail on the plate, the rail retaining device having an arm spaced from and overhanging the rail ange, and a spacer member depending from the overhangng arm inwardly of its free edge adapted to fit between the plate shoulder and rail ange.

GEORGE T.. D. 

